Oh no! I dream of getting an RV. We tried renting one for this summer. We thought my husband was going to have time off work and wanted to travel across the US with the kids, but regrettably, he only got 1 week off work so we couldn't do it. If I had the money to spare, I would own one and we could be camping all the time. : )
Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again to save us from eternal judgement and give us eternal life if we believe Him. Only God can save us and freely give us new life inside forever
I went fulltime rving when my boys were younger for about 4-5 years. Then when they were in middle school and highschool rented an apt or house. Now finally back in a rv fulltime but stay at rv park fulltime.
All RV's are depreciating assets! lol We have had them all and you are right, buy used and do your homework! We purchased a used '97 Foretravel from a private owner, full timed for 6 years and only took a 5k loss from initial purchase when we sold it. Thanks for sharing!
Since when do we buy a consumable and then go guilty that it’s worth less (not exactly worthless) than it was only seconds before we took ownership? Try selling your football ticket stubs for last Sunday’s game! Seems we know more about the after-life than the facts of the marketplace. Yes, on average a “home” is about the only purchased “asset” that appreciates. But an RV is not a house. The thrill is gone baby. Give me back my roller coaster ride! Or maybe you’re right. Maybe I don’t see that trump card you’re holding in your fantasy hand. Maybe Wall Street and Investment Banking had it all wrong after all.
@@Netspin1 Look at the amortization sheet for your home. You house isn't an asset either. Unless you flip ever 5 years or so and depending on the market the interest you pay far exceeds any profit you might make.
Congratulations and good luck! Just remember...stuff will go wrong, as with any other lifestyle. You just have to figure it out and push through. Let us know if you have any questions and keep us posted on your journey.
We only spent two months in an RV last summer and all these still ring true. If there comes a day where we decide to full time it for awhile, I will be following this advice.
Yah. We rented from a guy who owns a couple units. Was much cheaper than some the actual RV rental companies. But it was still very expensive and we tried to cram in as mush as possible. Still an awesome trip but way more expensive and exhausting than it needed to be.
I’m about 5 years out on selling my home and most of my possessions to buy an RV. Thank you so much for your tips. I’m not “mechanical”, and never have been. If I need help, I call in the professionals to fix things. With this in mind, I’m thinking of buying an RV from a manufacturer whose reputation in the industry is more solid than most. From the pride a company puts in its product, and it’s reputation in the RV industry will I be making my choice of which company to buy from. I’m thinking of a class B, no slider, with a shower to purchase. The unit will still be under warranty, with under 2 k in miles, and my budget for one is about 165k. I have no trade in and will be paying cash, the amount is about 1/4 the price I will be getting selling my house. I am watching videos of haggling for the price I want to pay. Because I’m only looking at a few brands, I will concentrate on their Class B homes with a shower. I appreciate your video and honesty. Thanks
Best stay out of Florida during hurricane season. RVs, cars and boats are not investments. They always lose money. Never finance them. Save your money and buy a good used one. Learn to do your own repairs. Very large RVs can not fit in a lot of the best places. Sometimes they are too big to even use the roads! Get a good Diesel to pull your big rig. You will be glad you did. I am thankful for my Cummins 2500 everyday.
Dick Morhead I totally agree with your points. We made the mistake of financing, but are remedying it by working hard to pay it off this year. We do have a big dually diesel truck and you’re right- it is the best!
3x over your gas allowance. Here in the UK gas is so expensive you'd have to take a loan haha. I agree with planning is important when undergoing a large venture
A friend of mine buys a new RV about every 2-3 years and has owned about 10 since I have known him. He has come to know that every new RV will need to go back to the dealer at least twice in the first year for some type of repair. Now these have mainly been covered under a warranty, but the fact is that RV's are not built like cars. There is not a lot of automation, and the process is prone to mistakes and errors. And think about it, an RV is just a giant box on a frame on wheels that is then pulled around by a truck over all types of terrain. The box shifts on the frame, and there is bound to be issues that come up as the different components shift and settle. I have another set of friends in my camping circle who always buy a used RV that is about 2-3 years old, (in other words, like the RV's that my friend returns). They end up with car fewer problems because the big stuff has shaken itself out.
Excellent point "Joe Joe". Only the military concerns itself with "shock and vibration" (one very good reason the military is as reliable as it is!). The RV buyer needs to drill deeply down into the RV's road-ability to handle the "bumps", longitudinal (forward motion - "chucking") e.g. start/stop transients that includes all the bolt-in's inside the RV and road induced chassis twists and torquing it will anticipate i.e. your planned travel environment to which it will be exposed. Hell is better than a boondock breakdown. Title for a song you can compose while waiting for the rescue helicopter?
I'm always puzzled when a full timer mentions wishing they could see more of an area they are in. One of the purposes of the lifestyle is freedom. Most boondocking areas can be used up to 14 days, some for longer,most require only a short move for another 2 weeks, then there are rv parks where the stay is limited only by your budget so why not stay as long as desired before moving on?
Trilby Arnold Great points! We stay as long as we like-generally 4 to 8 weeks to allow ourselves to really experience an area before moving on. However, in our case we’re still working and Sean’s job requires him to be within an hour of a major airport. Occasionally he’ll take vacation days and we’ll stay shorter periods of time at places that are farther from an airport.
Yes we regret buying new also, we know we over spent.. We always say we wish we could go back in time. We also like to stay longer to take advantage of the cheaper monthly rates plus we have our online business.
We dream about being full-time Rv-ers one day. This is really great info. We found you guys from Unapologetically Gomes shout out video and have subscribed so we can live vicariously through you and learn about Rv-ing. Maybe one day we will be able too!
That was pretty straightforward. The depreciation thing should not be overlooked. NADA has a site where you can just click through most models of RV. I had a 7 year old travel trailer I wanted to sell, and I ended up consigning it, which worked. You get a low wholesale and a high retail price from NADA. The consignment company used the same site when giving me a price. It can be so costly to trade that people are better off staying with what they have. If you are full timing, it is much easier to just say an RV costs X dollars a month or week, and accept it. I have a trailer I used a couple of months a year. For casual use it's harder to commit to constant maintenance, constant costs, plus depreciation. If things break, these days, it can be a lot of money. You have to prevent leaks and mice and all that.
When we were part-timing a few years ago it seemed like there were always more issues with things. It is much easier to stay on top of the maintenance now that we are full-timing.
Good information. We just bought a 45 foot 5th wheel a year ago and I made a big mistake on the truck we use to tow it. I listened to the wrong people. It was a costly mistake. However it is my fault for not researching it better. You two are dead on, do your research.
Thanks for watching and commenting, Bob. The tow vehicle is often a headache for most people. I think many times salespeople are eager to sell the RV and don't take the time to let you know about the vehicle you will need to tow.
You're very nice Couple and showing a lot of concerns for others as RV Aficionados, because of this... My dream having one turns to a reality of being a wise spender for this such huge money involved and also prevent regretful situation for my own dream could become a nightmare, you are truly helpful..., Thanks!!!...
Part of your video talked about depreciation. I just paid $16000 for our 2015 camper last year. We wanted to trade it in at camping world. They only offered us $6500 trade. I got mad and walked out. I know we lost money, but when you get ready to upgrade consider selling it yourself. You can recoup a lot more money than a trade in.
Ive been full timing for 10 years i have a 2016 44ft American Eagle coach . What i do i like staying 30 to 45 days . But you are right it gets old quick traveling in a hurry
Chickery's Travels When my wife and I started . We bought a 2006 Winnebago Tour 38 ft 3 slides it had a Cummins 350 24000 miles man it nicr I sold it in 2017 BOUGHT this big horse American Eagle with a Tag Axle . What a differance on the handling on the Big Road man you can drop the hammer and get on down the highway .
That sounds pretty impressive! We were foolish and financed the truck and 5th wheel. Should have it all paid off within a few months, then we’ll start saving up so we can buy our next one outright.
We are fixing to buy Fifthwheel and be on the road by April. We have cash in hand for used very nice fifthwheel from family. We know the one owner history. Winterized and they shrink plastic wrap it every winter. So, only pay,bet will be on used Dually. I’m so ready to downsize and uncomplicate our lives. Thank you for sharing your information. 😊
I’m glad you found the video helpful! You sound like you really found a great deal on a used RV. That is a great start! Best wishes on your transition.
Ahhh, the “F” word...Flexibility! I am heeding your advice by taking my time to consider what we want-vs-need, buying used, back up plans, over estimating costs and time at a location. Thanks 🙏
Oh That’s all fixed with Good Planning. Also we all enjoy going with the Flow. I have lived in my Safari Sahara 4 years once and Totally loved it. What a lot of Money it Saved over Home and Property Taxes to say nothing of the Higher costs I have now in my home. My sewer bill in the area here is over $800 a year and that’s just one Bill. I definitely spent Less in my RV but even if I hadn’t, I loved the Freedom of seeing different places and enjoying the Weather I liked by simply moving seasonally. I never went in Toronto or Hurricane areas anyway. I am considering doing this again, strongly.
Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again to save us from eternal judgement and give us eternal life if we believe Him. Only God can save us and freely give us new life inside forever
By my calendar your post was July '18. This vid is Oct. '17. Wouldn't you think that by "now" they'd be better off with a life boat rather than one raincoat?
Agreed You should always pack rain gear and have a place to visit on these days that don’t detract from the good days! ie. museums, stores, local downtown, architectural places( train stations)
How fun! How did you get into podcasting? Great lessons! We are learning about travel fatigue and the cost of traveling short term with our RV and we will definitely need to change things for next year. Do you prefer to stay in parks or private campgrounds? 42ft? Do you have issues parking into parks? I would love to see a video about the kinks of new RVs. How do you deal with healthcare on the road? Feel free to point me to a previous video if you already discussed it. Thanks for sharing!
We mostly stay in private campgrounds. We stay at state parks sometimes, and you are right that not all can accommodate our size. However, the main reason we stay in private campgrounds is that we are spoiled. We like full hookups and we like to stay at each location for a month or so. I wrote an article about it on our blog: www.chickerystravels.com/choosing-an-rv-park/. I have several other articles you may be interested in on the blog as well. My husband and I are both 20 year veterans of the US Air Force, so we have a healthcare plan through them. We are also authorized to use the VA if needed.
Great video! Flexibility seems to be the big one for me. This RV Life requires some pretty amazing flexibility and the flexibility is generally required when you least expect it. Will be on the road for two years coming up soon - could relate to each of your top 3 lessons learned for sure! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences.
Thanks! We plan to continue doing this for at least a few more years, but of course we're flexible... LOL! We just have so many places we want to visit, I know it will take us many years.
We were planning a "sprint" per say, for when we head out west at the end of March, we will have to re-look at that. I am getting travel fatigue thinking about it..... Haha! Thanks for sharing
We did it again last year from Texas to Washington DC in a week. It was exhausting and we way too much money on diesel. But sometimes it has to be done.
There are a lot of families out there doing it. We waited until our youngest went to college because they were in high school and involved in a lot of activities when we started thinking of it.
If RV's were built to the same standards as most other vehicles it would work well, but they are in a completely different class, and not held to any good regulations or standards.@@ChickerysTravels
We're so glad you enjoyed it! Let us know if you ever have any questions or if our paths cross. We have an email on our website www.chickerystravels.com.
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with your RV purchase as well as your travelling experiences. You kept it real, and your honesty is appreciated. I think I have a bit of unrealistic expectations of all fun fun fun we would have on the rd full time RV-ing. I started out looking at Class A's and now I am considering a Class C or if possible, even a B Class. You definitely lose some comfort of the Class A, but in the long run, with the smaller coaches you have more freedom and less fuel costs. I will be looking at lightly used when we do buy. I learned a lot from your video, thanks again. Looking forward to your next video!
Thanks for watching! I'm glad you found it helpful. Best wishes on your RV search. I think choosing one is the hardest part. There are just so many options!
Check out the CZcams Channel Follow Your Detour. My friends Lindsay and Dan just got a Winnebago Navion and have a video tour of it. It's either a Class B or tiny Class C, but it is really nice!
No RV manufacturer is perfect but, next time check out Grand Design. There is a reason that they are the fastest growing brand. Great quality, features and warranty.
Thank you for sharing this and.. i will never understand the experience.. since we dont have RV here in indonesia... but am happy to see your experience
I thought we had a similar style too. That's why I enjoy watching your videos. We have 3 sons, but they are all grown (21, 23, and 25). That's another reason I enjoy watching your videos, because it reminds me of my boys. :-) Plus my name is Julie too.
These problems are easily fixed - or avoided in the first place.. In my opinion, the biggest mistake newbies make is buying too much rig. Unless you have really deep pockets, don't buy a fifth wheel or a Class A. Real bad juju... The ONLY RV for a couple is a 25' - or less - travel trailer and a decent tow vehicle. For example, a (used) Lance trailer and a (used) Lexus GX SUV. Stylish and utterly reliable. The second biggest mistake is living on the East Coast and Florida. Go West. Arizona. Texas. New Mexico. Oregon. Not California. Stay out of California. Worse than Florida. Another big mistake is "playing tourist". That's a mug's game. Instead, get outdoors into the open air and enjoy the surroundings with no crowds of slouching peasants in hoodies and nylon baggy basketball shorts.
Great advice for some people, but we love the east coast. 2 of our kids and parents are in the southeast. And we really love Florida! We are in Texas now though and will be heading farther west for the winter.
Not yet! Wife and I have a few years til retirement but are very interested in full time RV’ing. We’re in the “know nothing” but have “big plans” mode! Lol. Thanks for the great videos!
Great tips, guys! We don't full-time, but I definitely see some of these 'regrets' as a weekend warrior. I really wish we could spend more time at our destination, and we will during the summer hopefully. If we decide to full time, Mike and I will definitely take all of these tips into consideration! Thanks!
Thanks for watching. One of the reasons we went full-time was to be able to take longer trips. We will likely go back to a traditional home and part-time again in a couple of years.
Thanks for all your great insight! Fellow parents of 3 boys here, 💕In your opinion, how many years old is good to ensure that the big hit of depreciation has happened? 2,3,4? Looking to buy used but still fairly new.
Our plan for the next RV is to be about 2 years old. The biggest depreciation hit is when you drive it off the lot. Also, with 2 years old, the first owner can work out any issues.
we're in the process of buying a 2011 35' forest river blue ridge. cash deal....GREAT sellers. having talked to dealers, they're in it to make money off of something that continues to depreciate....BUY PRIVATE and save yourself a ton of money.
Thanks for sharing this valuable info. I'm in the process of starting a nomadic life and currently looking at different rigs to consider. Again, thanks for the info... Wishing you both a prosperous 2018 ::)) Subscribing to your channel...
Thank you both for your service to our country. Looking and researching for our full time RV now. Starting to sell items hoping to make the move soon. What RV would be your ideal NEXT rv? We love the Solitudes by Grand Design......I want to go 35' but my husband wants to go 42'.
Robin Schmitt I haven’t looked at the solitudes but I hear good things about Grand Design. We’re thinking of downsizing to a 35’ Heartland Big Country. This year they started including a 3 year basic warranty. Check out our website, I have tons of info on fulltiming there and a link to my email if you have any questions.
Where in Florida were you staying when you had to evacuate? We were and are in Ft. Lauderdale / Davie area and also had to evacuate. Was super fun 😂 !! Was definitely an interesting experience. We have a 43ft Fuzion toyhauler BTW. So we understand the situation. We bought our 2016 in 2017 so the previous owner took the large depreciation hit.
We were at Jonathan Dickinson State Park when we had to evacuate. We left before it was mandatory so we missed a lot of the traffic. You were smart to buy lightly used!
Hi, so would you say that it was lack of fully researching your needs that made you buy new, not watching vlogs such as you are now doing? or is it, just as everyone really wants, a new product that no one has ever been in before? And, also, if you are considering now trading in and buying a newish but used R.V, isn't that what you already have, one that has had the kinks ironed out?, all the snagging similar to buying a new house, already sorted out?
it was a combination of things. The lack of research was really about the rate of depreciation and total interest over the life of the loan because we weren't as conscious of reducing debt at the time we purchased it. We are considering purchasing another 2-3 year old RV in the next couple of years, but it will be to go smaller. Our current RV is 44' and we've found we just don't need that much space.
We were seriously considering getting a 35' Fifth Wheel. However, we've decided to save money by keeping the RV we have now and giving it a makeover. I'm filming my progress on that now. :-)
Often we stay at campgrounds with full hook ups including electricity, and sometimes we dry camp and use our batteries. We posted all of last year expenses on our website www.chickerystravels.com/annual-full-time-rv-expenses-2018/
You are right, and thank goodness we don't have those issues every year. Luckily we have an emergency fund for those situations and have time to replenish it before the next.
Thanks! We hope to visit Australia one day. We actually rented out our house, but that just covers the mortgage. We both work full-time remotely. Sean is a Medical Research Study Manager and I'm a Proposal Manager. www.chickerystravels.com/learn-more-about-us/
I was interested in your thoughts....but telling viewers ‘our RV is too big or small’ is pointless without ‘showing’ it. The presumption that we all know what you’re in, and how you inhabit it, is wrong. You disregard the utility of the visual medium by not using the visual medium.
That's a tough one to answer, because I loved different aspects of each location. If I had to pick one, I'd say central Tennessee because that's where my parents live. Also, their are so many amazing hiking locations. My waterfall hike video is from there.
That is a good tip to buy a used RV and about staying for a longer time to avoid that driver fatigue.
Unapologetically Gomes Thanks for taking the time to watch our video! I know RVing isn't your thing, so it makes the support that much more special!
Oh no! I dream of getting an RV. We tried renting one for this summer. We thought my husband was going to have time off work and wanted to travel across the US with the kids, but regrettably, he only got 1 week off work so we couldn't do it. If I had the money to spare, I would own one and we could be camping all the time. : )
Unapologetically Gomes I
Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again to save us from eternal judgement and give us eternal life if we believe Him. Only God can save us and freely give us new life inside forever
dehallmo's Thunderhaus - I beleive in Dog. He will save us.
I went fulltime rving when my boys were younger for about 4-5 years. Then when they were in middle school and highschool rented an apt or house. Now finally back in a rv fulltime but stay at rv park fulltime.
We didn't start until after our boys had left the house, but I have a lot of respect for people who full-time with kids.
All RV's are depreciating assets! lol We have had them all and you are right, buy used and do your homework! We purchased a used '97 Foretravel from a private owner, full timed for 6 years and only took a 5k loss from initial purchase when we sold it. Thanks for sharing!
Since when do we buy a consumable and then go guilty that it’s worth less (not exactly worthless) than it was only seconds before we took ownership?
Try selling your football ticket stubs for last Sunday’s game! Seems we know more about the after-life than the facts of the marketplace. Yes, on average a “home” is about the only purchased “asset” that appreciates. But an RV is not a house.
The thrill is gone baby. Give me back my roller coaster ride!
Or maybe you’re right. Maybe I don’t see that trump card you’re holding in your fantasy hand. Maybe Wall Street and Investment Banking had it all wrong after all.
@@Netspin1 Look at the amortization sheet for your home. You house isn't an asset either. Unless you flip ever 5 years or so and depending on the market the interest you pay far exceeds any profit you might make.
Been watching uploads like yalls for about a year. My GF and I just bought a RV on Sunday. We are excited. Wish us luck. Thank you for your help.
Congratulations and good luck! Just remember...stuff will go wrong, as with any other lifestyle. You just have to figure it out and push through. Let us know if you have any questions and keep us posted on your journey.
We only spent two months in an RV last summer and all these still ring true. If there comes a day where we decide to full time it for awhile, I will be following this advice.
Did you rent an RV?
Yah. We rented from a guy who owns a couple units. Was much cheaper than some the actual RV rental companies. But it was still very expensive and we tried to cram in as mush as possible. Still an awesome trip but way more expensive and exhausting than it needed to be.
I’m about 5 years out on selling my home and most of my possessions to buy an RV. Thank you so much for your tips.
I’m not “mechanical”, and never have been. If I need help, I call in the professionals to fix things. With this in mind, I’m thinking of buying an RV from a manufacturer whose reputation in the industry is more solid than most.
From the pride a company puts in its product, and it’s reputation in the RV industry will I be making my choice of which company to buy from.
I’m thinking of a class B, no slider, with a shower to purchase. The unit will still be under warranty, with under 2 k in miles, and my budget for one is about 165k.
I have no trade in and will be paying cash, the amount is about 1/4 the price I will be getting selling my house.
I am watching videos of haggling for the price I want to pay. Because I’m only looking at a few brands, I will concentrate on their Class B homes with a shower.
I appreciate your video and honesty.
Thanks
Thanks for watching! Let us know if you ever have any questions. Some of those Class B's are really nice!
you realize rvs are a depreciating asset eh....
Best stay out of Florida during hurricane season. RVs, cars and boats are not investments. They always lose money. Never finance them. Save your money and buy a good used one. Learn to do your own repairs. Very large RVs can not fit in a lot of the best places. Sometimes they are too big to even use the roads! Get a good Diesel to pull your big rig. You will be glad you did. I am thankful for my Cummins 2500 everyday.
Dick Morhead I totally agree with your points. We made the mistake of financing, but are remedying it by working hard to pay it off this year. We do have a big dually diesel truck and you’re right- it is the best!
Dick Morhead I agree
3x over your gas allowance. Here in the UK gas is so expensive you'd have to take a loan haha. I agree with planning is important when undergoing a large venture
If you can't aford the gas to move around then you really can't afford this lifestyle.
A friend of mine buys a new RV about every 2-3 years and has owned about 10 since I have known him. He has come to know that every new RV will need to go back to the dealer at least twice in the first year for some type of repair. Now these have mainly been covered under a warranty, but the fact is that RV's are not built like cars. There is not a lot of automation, and the process is prone to mistakes and errors. And think about it, an RV is just a giant box on a frame on wheels that is then pulled around by a truck over all types of terrain. The box shifts on the frame, and there is bound to be issues that come up as the different components shift and settle. I have another set of friends in my camping circle who always buy a used RV that is about 2-3 years old, (in other words, like the RV's that my friend returns). They end up with car fewer problems because the big stuff has shaken itself out.
Good point!
Excellent point "Joe Joe". Only the military concerns itself with "shock and vibration" (one very good reason the military is as reliable as it is!). The RV buyer needs to drill deeply down into the RV's road-ability to handle the "bumps", longitudinal (forward motion - "chucking") e.g. start/stop transients that includes all the bolt-in's inside the RV and road induced chassis twists and torquing it will anticipate i.e. your planned travel environment to which it will be exposed. Hell is better than a boondock breakdown. Title for a song you can compose while waiting for the rescue helicopter?
I'm always puzzled when a full timer mentions wishing they could see more of an area they are in. One of the purposes of the lifestyle is freedom. Most boondocking areas can be used up to 14 days, some for longer,most require only a short move for another 2 weeks, then there are rv parks where the stay is limited only by your budget so why not stay as long as desired before moving on?
Trilby Arnold Great points! We stay as long as we like-generally 4 to 8 weeks to allow ourselves to really experience an area before moving on. However, in our case we’re still working and Sean’s job requires him to be within an hour of a major airport. Occasionally he’ll take vacation days and we’ll stay shorter periods of time at places that are farther from an airport.
Yes we regret buying new also, we know we over spent.. We always say we wish we could go back in time. We also like to stay longer to take advantage of the cheaper monthly rates plus we have our online business.
Yes, it was a pricey lesson, and not one we want to make again. It was still worth it to travel full-time though.
Luv you guy's. Very truthful with yourselves. A sign of High Integrity.
That is very kind of you to say. We just consider ourselves to be very practical people. :)
One of the most RELEVANT & informative videos on full-timing I've found!! Thank you so much for sharing!! Blessings!
So happy to hear you found it helpful!
We dream about being full-time Rv-ers one day. This is really great info. We found you guys from Unapologetically Gomes shout out video and have subscribed so we can live vicariously through you and learn about Rv-ing. Maybe one day we will be able too!
I'll have to thank Maria for the shout out. I just went and subbed to your channel too.
That was pretty straightforward. The depreciation thing should not be overlooked. NADA has a site where you can just click through most models of RV. I had a 7 year old travel trailer I wanted to sell, and I ended up consigning it, which worked. You get a low wholesale and a high retail price from NADA. The consignment company used the same site when giving me a price. It can be so costly to trade that people are better off staying with what they have.
If you are full timing, it is much easier to just say an RV costs X dollars a month or week, and accept it. I have a trailer I used a couple of months a year. For casual use it's harder to commit to constant maintenance, constant costs, plus depreciation. If things break, these days, it can be a lot of money. You have to prevent leaks and mice and all that.
When we were part-timing a few years ago it seemed like there were always more issues with things. It is much easier to stay on top of the maintenance now that we are full-timing.
Good information. We just bought a 45 foot 5th wheel a year ago and I made a big mistake on the truck we use to tow it. I listened to the wrong people. It was a costly mistake. However it is my fault for not researching it better. You two are dead on, do your research.
Thanks for watching and commenting, Bob. The tow vehicle is often a headache for most people. I think many times salespeople are eager to sell the RV and don't take the time to let you know about the vehicle you will need to tow.
Yay Dave Ramsey shout out! GREAT budgeting strategy.
Dave Ramsey has changed our lives!
You're very nice Couple and showing a lot of concerns for others as RV Aficionados, because of this... My dream having one turns to a reality of being a wise spender for this such huge money involved and also prevent regretful situation for my own dream could become a nightmare, you are truly helpful..., Thanks!!!...
So glad you found the information useful. Feel free to ask questions anytime. Best wishes to you on your journey!
Part of your video talked about depreciation. I just paid $16000 for our 2015 camper last year. We wanted to trade it in at camping world. They only offered us $6500 trade. I got mad and walked out. I know we lost money, but when you get ready to upgrade consider selling it yourself. You can recoup a lot more money than a trade in.
Great advice. You can definitely get a little more in a private sale. Thanks for watching and adding to the value of the video!
Really good information! I've been looking for a long time as well. Been looking at CZcams and learning a lot of good and bad stuff. Thanks!
There is a lot of great info on CZcams. We love watching videos of other RVers.
Ive been full timing for 10 years i have a 2016 44ft American Eagle coach .
What i do i like staying 30 to 45 days . But you are right it gets old quick traveling in a hurry
Wow, 10 years. Awesome! This video was from last year, we're at 4 years now.
Chickery's Travels Ya i looked at the date .
Chickery's Travels When my wife and I started . We bought a 2006 Winnebago Tour 38 ft 3 slides it had a Cummins 350 24000 miles man it nicr I sold it in 2017
BOUGHT this big horse American Eagle with a Tag Axle . What a differance on the handling on the Big Road man you can drop the hammer and get on down the highway .
That sounds pretty impressive! We were foolish and financed the truck and 5th wheel. Should have it all paid off within a few months, then we’ll start saving up so we can buy our next one outright.
We are fixing to buy Fifthwheel and be on the road by April. We have cash in hand for used very nice fifthwheel from family. We know the one owner history. Winterized and they shrink plastic wrap it every winter. So, only pay,bet will be on used Dually. I’m so ready to downsize and uncomplicate our lives. Thank you for sharing your information. 😊
I’m glad you found the video helpful! You sound like you really found a great deal on a used RV. That is a great start! Best wishes on your transition.
Ahhh, the “F” word...Flexibility! I am heeding your advice by taking my time to consider what we want-vs-need, buying used, back up plans, over estimating costs and time at a location. Thanks 🙏
Best of luck to you! We find our wants & needs have changed over the time we’ve been on the road.
Enjoyed your video, please to see a couple being real in conveying the RV Life & Travels. Keep up the good work, and happy trails. Always, Syn Silver.
Thanks! I'm so glad we came across as authentic. We genuinely enjoy what we do, but are very practical about life in general.
Oh That’s all fixed with Good Planning. Also we all enjoy going with the Flow.
I have lived in my Safari Sahara 4 years once and Totally loved it.
What a lot of Money it Saved over Home and Property Taxes to say nothing of the Higher costs I have now in my home. My sewer bill in the area here is over $800 a year and that’s just one Bill.
I definitely spent Less in my RV but even if I hadn’t,
I loved the Freedom of seeing different places and enjoying the Weather I liked by simply moving seasonally.
I never went in Toronto or Hurricane areas anyway.
I am considering doing this again, strongly.
I am getting outta my 40 foot 4 slide fiver into a 23 foot class c. Amazing how little room one does need
Too true! When we downsized from our home, we thought 44' was small! Now we know we don't need nearly that much space.
Chickery's Travels my buddy has 36 foot fiver. He bought 24 foot class c lol his fiver sitting beside mine for sale here too. Lol. Less is more.
Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again to save us from eternal judgement and give us eternal life if we believe Him. Only God can save us and freely give us new life inside forever
I wish I had a 40 footer! 5 people full time in this 30 footer is tight
Candid video. You can convert to solar and boondock! Safe travels.
Thanks! We are considering adding solar at some point, but first we want to totally pay off the RV.
Awesome. Glad things are going well and look forward to new content! Be sure to check out BLMs if you don't already
What a great information guys. Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks for watching! The first two lessons really could apply to any type of travel.
Take your time ! Yes it’s expensive at some points. We boondock a lot. Oh ya the Everglades!!!
What is boondock?
Zero hookups. power, water, sewage, etc....
Thank you for the advice. Always nice to learn more.
Thanks for watching! Feel free to ask any questions. We're an open book about our RV experience.
Great tips you guys! I think being flexible is good for anyone planning a trip, whether in an RV or not. TFS, and have a blessed day! ---Stacy 😍❤
I agree, Stacy! Thanks for watching!
Put on a raincoat and go out there and have fun..
Great idea!
By my calendar your post was July '18. This vid is Oct. '17. Wouldn't you think that by "now" they'd be better off with a life boat rather than one raincoat?
Agreed You should always pack rain gear and have a place to visit on these days that don’t detract from the good days! ie. museums, stores, local downtown, architectural places( train stations)
Good info. Thanks for sharing. Been on the road for almost a year and a half. Definitely taking your time is how to do it.
Thanks for watching! I'll go check out your channel. I love following other nomads.
How fun! How did you get into podcasting? Great lessons! We are learning about travel fatigue and the cost of traveling short term with our RV and we will definitely need to change things for next year. Do you prefer to stay in parks or private campgrounds? 42ft? Do you have issues parking into parks? I would love to see a video about the kinks of new RVs. How do you deal with healthcare on the road? Feel free to point me to a previous video if you already discussed it. Thanks for sharing!
We mostly stay in private campgrounds. We stay at state parks sometimes, and you are right that not all can accommodate our size. However, the main reason we stay in private campgrounds is that we are spoiled. We like full hookups and we like to stay at each location for a month or so. I wrote an article about it on our blog: www.chickerystravels.com/choosing-an-rv-park/. I have several other articles you may be interested in on the blog as well. My husband and I are both 20 year veterans of the US Air Force, so we have a healthcare plan through them. We are also authorized to use the VA if needed.
Awesome information. We are so glad we came across your channel before we jumped into our adventures.
I'm glad you found it helpful!
What!!!’ An Rv break down??? No way lol
Thank you.
Good advice. Ill think on it. Thank you. Black tanks are my worry. Lol i can fix almost anything. Germ freak here. Lol
You guys should get an airstream! That would be perfect for just the two of you
We toured quite a few Airstreams at the Florida RV Supershow. Loved them!
Great video! Flexibility seems to be the big one for me. This RV Life requires some pretty amazing flexibility and the flexibility is generally required when you least expect it. Will be on the road for two years coming up soon - could relate to each of your top 3 lessons learned for sure! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences.
Thanks! We plan to continue doing this for at least a few more years, but of course we're flexible... LOL! We just have so many places we want to visit, I know it will take us many years.
Congrats on 3 years!!! We will be celebrating our first full-time year this month! Great advise! Cheers guys!
Congrats! We’re actually getting ready to celebrate 4 years this month! 😊
Chickery's Travels no way! We have our RV anniversary on July 12th when is your date?
We don't remember the exact date. LOL! We just know it was around the end of June 2014. Happy Nomadiversary to you!
We were planning a "sprint" per say, for when we head out west at the end of March, we will have to re-look at that. I am getting travel fatigue thinking about it..... Haha! Thanks for sharing
We did it again last year from Texas to Washington DC in a week. It was exhausting and we way too much money on diesel. But sometimes it has to be done.
We have been considering going full time in a RV, and slowly getting rid of the things in our home. Thanks for sharing the lessons you have learned!
There are a lot of families out there doing it. We waited until our youngest went to college because they were in high school and involved in a lot of activities when we started thinking of it.
Our kids are still pretty young (3 &9) but thought it would be convenient since we move every 3 years since my husband is in the military.
RV repair shops are "Booked Up", what's that tell you? It tells you RV's as a rule are unreliable vehicles, needing constant repair.
They do need constant upkeep and there is a shortage of certified technicians right now.
If RV's were built to the same standards as most other vehicles it would work well, but they are in a completely different class, and not held to any good regulations or standards.@@ChickerysTravels
You can also use NADA for RV pricing as well.
Great point! We recently did some research using NADA for our latest video on calculating the true cost of a new RV.
Tell Mr Happy to smile 😕 😜
Really interesting insights, very useful video for anyone considering RV ownership!
Thanks!
Excellent advice. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching! i'm glad you found it helpful!
Great great great vid. Thx for sharing wisdom and experience.
We're so glad you enjoyed it! Let us know if you ever have any questions or if our paths cross. We have an email on our website www.chickerystravels.com.
You should’ve checked out fiberglass RVs they hold their value much higher and longer. They are worth buying new house you won’t
Thanks for the advice!
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with your RV purchase as well as your travelling experiences.
You kept it real, and your honesty is appreciated. I think I have a bit of unrealistic expectations of all fun fun fun we would have on the rd full time RV-ing.
I started out looking at Class A's and now I am considering a Class C or if possible, even a B Class. You definitely lose some comfort of the Class A, but in the long run, with the smaller coaches you have more freedom and less fuel costs. I will be looking at lightly used when we do buy. I learned a lot from your video, thanks again.
Looking forward to your next video!
Thanks for watching! I'm glad you found it helpful. Best wishes on your RV search. I think choosing one is the hardest part. There are just so many options!
Check out the CZcams Channel Follow Your Detour. My friends Lindsay and Dan just got a Winnebago Navion and have a video tour of it. It's either a Class B or tiny Class C, but it is really nice!
I don't see the link to the place you said he charges a small fee to let you know what the value of your rv is?
It is a Facebook Group called RV Pricing and Values run by David Lester.
thank you!!! I want to see it all too fast!!!! We will slow down and try to stay longer at each place.
We’re such slow travelers, we’ll probably never see everything on our list! 😂
I enjoyed your video. You give a lot of valuable information. Thank you.
Thanks! I’m glad you found it helpful!
Sure sounds like those providing services / necessities to RVers are poised to take very opportunistic advantage once they catch you ‘on the road’1
Sorry, I’m not sure I understand what you mean.
No RV manufacturer is perfect but, next time check out Grand Design. There is a reason that they are the fastest growing brand. Great quality, features and warranty.
I’ve heard great things about Grand Design. I also toured several at the Florida RV SuperShow. They looked terrific!
Thank you for sharing this and.. i will never understand the experience.. since we dont have RV here in indonesia... but am happy to see your experience
I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s always nice to see others experiences.
Where guys at? Tried to find your latest. Have to search later. This is a good video.
Today was our last day in Fredericksburg, TX. We're heading to San Antonio tomorrow for a month. 2 of our sons live there so I'm super excited!
-Julie
Great tips! You guys sound a lot like us :) Hopefully we will meet up one day!
I thought we had a similar style too. That's why I enjoy watching your videos. We have 3 sons, but they are all grown (21, 23, and 25). That's another reason I enjoy watching your videos, because it reminds me of my boys. :-) Plus my name is Julie too.
These problems are easily fixed - or avoided in the first place..
In my opinion, the biggest mistake newbies make is buying too much rig. Unless you have really deep pockets, don't buy a fifth wheel or a Class A. Real bad juju...
The ONLY RV for a couple is a 25' - or less - travel trailer and a decent tow vehicle. For example, a (used) Lance trailer and a (used) Lexus GX SUV. Stylish and utterly reliable.
The second biggest mistake is living on the East Coast and Florida. Go West. Arizona. Texas. New Mexico. Oregon. Not California. Stay out of California. Worse than Florida.
Another big mistake is "playing tourist". That's a mug's game. Instead, get outdoors into the open air and enjoy the surroundings with no crowds of slouching peasants in hoodies and nylon baggy basketball shorts.
Great advice for some people, but we love the east coast. 2 of our kids and parents are in the southeast. And we really love Florida! We are in Texas now though and will be heading farther west for the winter.
Good info and thanks for sharing.
Thanks! Glad you found it helpful. We want to do a new one for our 4th nomadiversary, which we just passed.
Sorry if I missed it but would you post the link the the guide for a true cost of an RV? Thanks!
Sorry I’m not aware of a guide like that.
Great advise! Just subscribed! Good luck in your travels!
Thank you! Are you an RVer also?
Not yet! Wife and I have a few years til retirement but are very interested in full time RV’ing. We’re in the “know nothing” but have “big plans” mode! Lol. Thanks for the great videos!
Hello friends. Im listening.
Thank you for sharing!
Great tips, guys! We don't full-time, but I definitely see some of these 'regrets' as a weekend warrior. I really wish we could spend more time at our destination, and we will during the summer hopefully. If we decide to full time, Mike and I will definitely take all of these tips into consideration! Thanks!
Thanks for watching. One of the reasons we went full-time was to be able to take longer trips. We will likely go back to a traditional home and part-time again in a couple of years.
Thanks for all your great insight! Fellow parents of 3 boys here, 💕In your opinion, how many years old is good to ensure that the big hit of depreciation has happened? 2,3,4? Looking to buy used but still fairly new.
Our plan for the next RV is to be about 2 years old. The biggest depreciation hit is when you drive it off the lot. Also, with 2 years old, the first owner can work out any issues.
we're in the process of buying a 2011 35' forest river blue ridge. cash deal....GREAT sellers. having talked to dealers, they're in it to make money off of something that continues to depreciate....BUY PRIVATE and save yourself a ton of money.
Great point! Wish we would have done that the first time around. We surely learned our lesson.
Im so excitd to see your christmas tour!!
I love decorating my little space for Christmas!
Love the videos, keep 'em coming!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for sharing this valuable info. I'm in the process of starting a nomadic life and currently looking at different rigs to consider. Again, thanks for the info... Wishing you both a prosperous 2018 ::)) Subscribing to your channel...
Thank you! So happy to have you as a new subscriber. Best wishes on your nomadic journey!
Were thinking of full time camping ! But I want a 5th wheel !
The fifth wheels are great for fulltimers because they feel very residential inside.
Thanks for sharing your personal view ! Left you like #24
Thanks for watching!
Thank you both for your service to our country. Looking and researching for our full time RV now. Starting to sell items hoping to make the move soon. What RV would be your ideal NEXT rv? We love the Solitudes by Grand Design......I want to go 35' but my husband wants to go 42'.
Robin Schmitt I haven’t looked at the solitudes but I hear good things about Grand Design. We’re thinking of downsizing to a 35’ Heartland Big Country. This year they started including a 3 year basic warranty. Check out our website, I have tons of info on fulltiming there and a link to my email if you have any questions.
Just saw a Solitude by Grand Design at an RV show over the weekend and I love it! I want the 35-36' range for sure!
Where in Florida were you staying when you had to evacuate? We were and are in Ft. Lauderdale / Davie area and also had to evacuate. Was super fun 😂 !! Was definitely an interesting experience.
We have a 43ft Fuzion toyhauler BTW. So we understand the situation. We bought our 2016 in 2017 so the previous owner took the large depreciation hit.
We were at Jonathan Dickinson State Park when we had to evacuate. We left before it was mandatory so we missed a lot of the traffic. You were smart to buy lightly used!
Still expensive...lol
For a minute there I thought this was a hostage video...
Good one 😂 😝
I thought the same! 😀
Congrats about son !
Hi, so would you say that it was lack of fully researching your needs that made you buy new, not watching vlogs such as you are now doing? or is it, just as everyone really wants, a new product that no one has ever been in before? And, also, if you are considering now trading in and buying a newish but used R.V, isn't that what you already have, one that has had the kinks ironed out?, all the snagging similar to buying a new house, already sorted out?
it was a combination of things. The lack of research was really about the rate of depreciation and total interest over the life of the loan because we weren't as conscious of reducing debt at the time we purchased it. We are considering purchasing another 2-3 year old RV in the next couple of years, but it will be to go smaller. Our current RV is 44' and we've found we just don't need that much space.
Thank you for sharing your experiences!
Thanks for watching!
Smile my friend. I worry about you.
I'm curious to know what size you would get, if you're downsizing. I'm looking into 31' for two people. Seems to be plenty of room and storage.
We were seriously considering getting a 35' Fifth Wheel. However, we've decided to save money by keeping the RV we have now and giving it a makeover. I'm filming my progress on that now. :-)
Can you conect an Rv to something for electricity? How much is the gas money? With air ect
Often we stay at campgrounds with full hook ups including electricity, and sometimes we dry camp and use our batteries. We posted all of last year expenses on our website www.chickerystravels.com/annual-full-time-rv-expenses-2018/
Thanks for sharing your RV life
Thanks for watching!
You might be spending more for stuff storage than it's worth. 😊 Been there done that. You never work out kinks.
Great information thank you
Thanks for watching! I'm glad you found it valuable.
Yes but that was because an hurricane Irma you don't get those situations every year.
You are right, and thank goodness we don't have those issues every year. Luckily we have an emergency fund for those situations and have time to replenish it before the next.
Fast becoming one of my favourite channels
Thanks for the compliment, John. Also, thanks for watching!
May I ask the preferred "permanent address" method required by many institutions?
Escapees RV Club gives a physical address for members to use as a domicile. They also have a mailing service you can pay for separately.
Good video and tips you guys. Did you sell your house to finance your travels or how do you earn a living whilst on the road. From Australia.
Thanks! We hope to visit Australia one day. We actually rented out our house, but that just covers the mortgage. We both work full-time remotely. Sean is a Medical Research Study Manager and I'm a Proposal Manager. www.chickerystravels.com/learn-more-about-us/
I would only purchase a hook up trailor.
Excellent info.
Thank you!
Good stuff. Thanks you two!!
You’re welcome. We need to do an update and add a few more lessons.
Excellent notes
Thank you!
You're welcome. Hope you found it helpful!
Well if you paid over MSRP than you paid too much but if you paid anything under that you were okay
We definitely paid well under MSRP, but depreciation is still about 30%. Ouch!
👍Great tips & info for if/when I get an RV. I love road trips and some of these tips are good road trips in a vehicle too. 💞
Glad you found it helpful! I recommend renting an RV. It’s a great way to travel.
We bought a 28 ft B +
Nice! We went to a show recently and fell in love with the Leisure Travel Van Unity (with Murphy Bed).
Sure true !
Thanks for watching!
I was interested in your thoughts....but telling viewers ‘our RV is too big or small’ is pointless without ‘showing’ it. The presumption that we all know what you’re in, and how you inhabit it, is wrong. You disregard the utility of the visual medium by not using the visual medium.
Sorry, I thought we linked to our RV tour video which was posted right before this one. Here’s the link czcams.com/video/hEk3SXNBbcw/video.html
What is your favorite place you have been so far and why?
That's a tough one to answer, because I loved different aspects of each location. If I had to pick one, I'd say central Tennessee because that's where my parents live. Also, their are so many amazing hiking locations. My waterfall hike video is from there.
I’m totally shocked you guys have a son getting married! Y’all look way too young. You’re doing something right!
Thanks! Must be all the fresh air we're getting. :-)